china and pottery

What Is It About Whatnots?

April 9, 2013 at 9:30 am by Claudia

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I’ve come to the conclusion that I have a soft spot for whatnots: sets of light, open shelves for displaying knick knacks. As I am a collector and have lots of knick knacks, it was inevitable that I would seek them out. And isn’t ‘whatnot’ a lovely, old-fashioned name? That alone would draw me to them. Plus, I think they are quite cottagey (yes, I made that word up) and fit in with my Christmas in Connecticut type decorating style.

The first whatnot shelf that came into our house was this one. As my egg cup collection grew, I realized that I had to find some way to display them. We found this whatnot in a local antique store – I fell in love with the fan shape at the top and this carving on the sides:

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Even though I tend to paint things around here, I can’t touch this beauty. The finish is in great shape and I love it just the way it is.

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Then there’s this sweet, sweet whatnot, found in another local shop several years ago. I’ve never seen another one like this. The shelves are curved and the carving on the sides is so charming. It reminds me of something that would be in Hansel and Gretel’s little cottage.

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It lives in the den, where I discovered that it perfectly matches the framed print over the sofa. A nice little bit of serendipity.

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Also in the den: this little whatnot. It came to me from Heidi’s shop, where it had been in our friend Reyna’s space. After Reyna died, Heidi gave it to me. Originally it had a dark, dark finish and the back was mirrored. I painted it and used scrapbook paper to cover up the mirror. Perfect for holding my mini pottery collection. And a lovely memory of Reyna.

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Then there’s this whatnot, which hangs in the studio. I got it for a song years ago. It had a dark finish with a lot of damage, so I painted it and hung it over my sewing machine. The scrollwork on the sides is gorgeous.

My smallest little whatnot is this one:

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A vintage spice shelf I fell in love with at first sight. I swooned over the paint colors, the little dowels designed to keep the spices from falling off the shelf, and that art deco like design at the top. I had to have it.

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It lives in the studio, right under the mantel turned shelf.

As I am an unrepentant collector, I’m sure I will find more of these whatnots and bring them home to the cottage. After all, Don just gave me two more egg cups from Prague! (Photos tomorrow.) I simply have to find some space for them, right?

Don’s home. He didn’t get here until about 10:30 last night. I have only seen a few photos, though I’m sure I’ll see lots more today. Scout is currently driving me crazy here in the den. She starts at every little sound, thinking it must be her dad getting up. She is even making noises: grunts, sighs, moans. It’s her way of saying “When is he going to get up???” That little girl adores her dad.

Happy Tuesday.

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I’ve Been…

April 7, 2013 at 8:33 am by Claudia

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Researching Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. My personal favorite of all his plays.

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Comparing notes, checking meter, looking up obscure word meanings, while this girl is at my side:

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A freshly bathed, sweet smelling, silky coated girl. My pal.

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Changing the display on the kitchen island. Will it stay? Not sure. But our favorite rabbit cookie jar was in a corner and I wanted to see it every day.

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Stocking up on supplies: darning needles, sewing machine needles, fabric. Must have everything ready to go to Hartford in less than two weeks.

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Working every evening on this. I have about one hour’s worth of hand quilting left and the top will be finished. I couldn’t resist putting it on the bed yesterday. I have callouses on my fingers, I’ve pricked myself more times than I can count, my back is sore from continually hunching over, but the end is in sight.

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Getting ready to start in on the binding. Happy that it’s almost done. It’s not perfect by a long shot, but I love it like a child.

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Skyping with this guy, here in his period costume. Distinguished, no? He’s been having the time of his life in Prague, sightseeing every spare moment, meeting new friends and colleagues, acting on film (which he loves), making the most of this gift, this wonderful opportunity. We miss him but he’ll be home tomorrow.

Happy Sunday.

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What the Heck is in That China Cabinet, Part 2

October 15, 2012 at 11:09 am by Claudia

Well, for those of you who were extra observant this morning, you might have seen a quick panicked post about my camera not working. I couldn’t get the shutter to work and as this has been a bit problematic lately, I thought I no longer had a working camera. Dollar signs flashed in front of my eyes.

I figured out what the problem was and all is well, for the time being. Sigh of relief.

Now for the next installment of “What the heck is in that china cabinet?”

Here you see the kitchen china cabinet in all it’s jumbled glory. Starting with the top shelf, on the left:

1. Some Emma Bridgewater pottery: A saucer and pitcher. I have another pitcher holding our toothbrushes in the bathroom. 2. A child’s plate, also Bridgewater 3. Baked egg cup, Bridgewater (All the Bridgewater pottery was bought when I was in England.) 4. Small cream pitcher, Bridgewater 5. Fiesta teapot that I saved for myself when I sold my collection. I love it.

Top shelf, on the right:

1. McCoy vase 2. Platter, Johnson Bros. Rose Chintz (I have the dishes, as well) 3. Lovely shaker given to me by Donna 4. McCoy pot 5. McCoy pot 6. Depression glass salt and pepper shakers

Middle shelf, left:

1. Roseville pottery 2. Harlequin pitcher with my Bakelite flatware 3. Brown transferware sugar and creamer 4. pine cone candle from Poland, given to us by the same friends who gave me 5. tiny teapot 6. plate from Anthropologie with the initial H

Middle Shelf, right:

1. Teacups from my collection of Edwin Knowles china 2. Large plate that I bought in California because I loved it 3. McCoy vase 4. McCoy planting dish 5. Very old Brush McCoy pitcher 6. China salad plate made in France

Bottom shelf, left:

1. McCoy pottery planter 2. Red Wing Pottery vase (the inside is a soft green 3. Fiesta teapot 4. McCoy planting dish with a nest I found on the property inside)

Bottom shelf, right: